Staying at the Pioneer Room will take you back to days gone by! ITs a large one room unit and all the paneling is Tulip Poplar wood which we logged off our property and is the same type of tree the Pioneers would use for their first log home! The queen bed is made from recycled train tracks and old farm homes. There are pictures of covered wagons, Native Americans, parts of old tools and harness........great way to test your knowledge of times gone by. There is a futon which makes a full bed, so the Pioneer room easily will sleep up to 4 people, If you have more than 4 people please bring MATS and Sleeping bags. There is floor space for extra kids. Kitchen is fully equipped ( bring own food/paper towels) , air /heat or just open windows, smart tv and vcr with movies, private bathroom with tub jaccuzi and shower and private entrance with rockers to relax!
Must bring own sheets ( queen size and full size for futon) and bath towels. This is a non smoking NO Pets allowed. WE LOVE children will try hard to show them a great time! Its not far from the barn area, so anytime you get the notion to visit with the horses, or walk the minis after taking class, play in the bunny room, gather farm fresh eggs, give belle the pig a tummy rub, its only a minute or 2 away. Also, there is a spring fed pond for fishing /swimming, pavillion with tables /chairs, fire ring/grill and wood. Great way to relax and enjoy nature and each other. We spent 10 winters digging and building trails , so they are fun with ups and downs, switchbacks, hills...........see the outdoor chapel with view .short walks or longer hikes are all here for you to enjoy.
Enjoy the outdoors, nature and mountains without having to ever get in your car! Parents LOVE that the kids are super happy just too hang out here with the kittys and animals and doing nature stuff! No crowds/traffic, just peacefulness and outdoor fun.
We also offer specialized Horsemanship clinics, learning the basics of safety around horses, handling of horses, Haltering/ Leading /Grooming/Saddling and Riding instruction. 125.00 per person plus taxes.
Sign up for our MINI HORSE Orientation Class. After class, you will be qualifies to halter, lead, groom the mini horses at any time. Children must have parent present. You would even be able to take the mini horses on the hiking trails! 75.00 for group up to 4 people
Free guided hiking tour when you stay 5 nights or more. Explore our hand dug trails with experienced guide, learn about trees, wildflowers, nature and history/stories of the area. Tour geared to your interests and abilities. Value $100.00
There is plenty to do right here, some folks never leave the property and others just use as base camp since the Great Smoky Mountain National Park , Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, caverns, museums, food, are all from a couple of miles to only 25 miles away. So much to do and see in the area!
Also, on site we have other lodging options such as the Lukes cabin, Bed and Breakfast rooms, camping shelters and the Cowboy Hideout. If you have a larger group , you can rent both the Cowboy hideout and the Pioneer room and we open the adjoining doors!
We have paddocks with shelters for those who are traveling with their own private horses. Meet other like minded folks who may be staying at our Bed and Breakfast/Private units or camping shelters ,which are spread out throughout our 100+ acres. Please send inquiry first so I can check availability, calendar not always up to date since I take bookings from other venues
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Must be pre approved, fees apply
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking outside on porches
Do not allow ranch cats or dogs inside your room.m no matter what they tell you!!!
Have fun! Enjoy 100 acres of hiking trails, swimming/fishing pond, outdoor chapel,petting animals. Do NOT go into Horse Paddocks.
SAve all food waste for ranch animals, Do Not put any food in garbage! If you have any food products that you are not able to take , leave in frig
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Note from host: must be pre approved, fees apply
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Seymour
Located in Seymour, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Palace Theater and Capitol Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Cades Cove Museum and Dark Island Swinging Bridge. Travelling with kids? Consider Clayton Center for the Arts, or check out an event or a game at Jack Renfro Stadium.
Rockey Branch Bluegrass Community Center - 13 min drive - 6.8 km
Jack Renfro Stadium - 13 min drive - 8.8 km
Maryville College - 22 min drive - 20.3 km
Townsend Visitor Center - 25 min drive - 24.5 km
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 28 min drive - 28.2 km
Getting around
Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 28 min drive
Restaurants
Walland Shop Groceries And Gas - 13 min drive
Lem’s Korner - 14 min drive
The Firetower - 31 min drive
Three Sisters - 24 min drive
Taco Bell Midland - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay?
As of 13 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay on 14 Apr, 2026 start from S$152, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Free Guided mountain walking tour with ranch stay located?
This family-friendly Seymour holiday home is located on a river, 3.2 mi (5.2 km) from Rockey Branch Bluegrass Community Center, and within 12 mi (20 km) of Clayton Center for the Arts and Tuckaleechee Caverns. Shadows of the Past Hiking/Biking Trail and Laurel Valley Golf Course are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Twin Valley Ranch was a fun stay in a rustic cabin. There are many animals to interact with and Janis and staff were all very friendly helpful and knowledgable. The cabin was nice with all the amenities it claimed. We enjoyed our stay.
It was clean. Amenities in kitchen were good. Bedding- pillows &blankets are a little rough around the edges and that couch/futon was deplorable. Bathroom was clean but faucet in tub really needs to be fixed as someone could scald themselves if not careful.
CK H.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Oct, 2025
hello! thank you for your review. I plan on replacing pillows soon. thank you for bringing to my attention.
I am sorry you had trouble with the water temp. I am sure the heater is set on the recommended temp for guests but i can get the double checked. It has been the same temp for many , many yrs. and have not had any complaints. When i clean I didnt notice anything but do just turn half way . It is a one knob unit so i dont think its been a problem for most folks.
i will have it double checked though to be sure its still set at the safe temp.
Futon is a futon. usually the kids sleep on it and dont seem to mind. I am sure the queen bed is quite comfortable as i have been told.
We had a excellent time with Janice and all the animals. Beautiful serenity in the mountains. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to embrace the natural habitat of a quiet mountain property!
Eric C.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jun, 2023
Thank you Eric for taking out the time to write this nice review. I am so glad you enjoyed yourself. I loved having you both here. Please come again anytime!
JAN
In town visiting family and had a nice time meeting the animals and bonfire by the pond. Thumbs up!
Chris D.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Oct, 2020
thank you so much for taking out the time to write a nice review. Enjoyed you and your family so much. I have to say, i think the kittys really missed your children when they left. Please feel free to come back anytime. We LOVED having you all./
JAN
We enjoyed our stay. Janice was an amazing host. We fed the farm animals, fished and hiked on the property. The cabin was quaint and cozy just like the pictures. Highly recommend. We will definitely go back. Thank you Janice for sharing your lovely property.
We picked the Ranch due to the unique combination of cabins, farm animals, and many acres of woods. Hiking on the property in Late April was a great treat.
Additionally we hiked at the nearby SMNP near Cades Cove. Townsend was ~20 minutes away.
Janice and the animals have a wonderful Ranch.
Stephen H.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 4 May, 2024
Thank you for taking out the time to write such a nice review. Relaxing, nature and animals is what it’s all about. Pleasure sharing with you all. Welcome anytime!
Janice had a beautiful ranch. Unfortunately we only stayed one night and it stormed a bit. But my daughter got to explore and help Janice with the horses which she loved. My fiancé and son went fishing right before the storm and my son caught 1 bass. We enjoyed right as we were leaving the pigs and goats. Hopefully next trip we can stay and have a longer trip to take everything this ranch has to offer.
Valerie H.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug, 2021
Hello Valerie,
thank you so much for taking out the time to write about your stay,even thou it was Short but Sweet! I loved meeting you daughter and so glad she came to feed with me. And I saw the guys go to fishing pond with the storm brewing so am super glad he caught a fish. Yes, Please do come back again for longer! Happy Trails till we see you again
JAN
We had a wonderful time. We stayed in the Pioneer cabin (very rustic) as Luke's cabin was not available. Our guest Janice and her assistant Marcus were very helpful and made every effort to ensure we had a nice stay.
GPS gets confused a bit so we ended up getting back to the cabin different ways each time we went out, but we always made it back.
Enjoyed petting the many animals, and although we did not go horseback riding, the horses were beautiful and friendly.
The views around the area are beautiful. It is very peaceful and quiet. Even got to meet 3 young teenagers who volunteer at the ranch who love the animals.
Pics don’t do it justice-this place will knock your socks off!
When I say WE HAD A BLAST- I mean-we had A BLAST! We were greeted by the friendliest pig first thing ! We feel in love with her (jazzy we miss you already!) and she turned into our buddy for the weekend. The pics don’t do it justice! It’s rustic in the best way -we did a girls weekend away here and Janice was SO ACCOMMODATING! She let us explore every inch of thr property we could get to and all the animals made us so happy!
Next time, I’m bringing my 3 kids and I just know they will never want to leave! Janice you are a true gem and THE REAL DEAL! We can’t thank you enough for the best girls weekend possible! Give jazzy a nose boop for me!
Brandi K.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept, 2022
I am so glad you had a good time! I know Jazzy is a missing you all too.:)
thank you for taking out the time to write such a nice review and I am excited to meet the rest of the family next time. Thank you Thank you Thank you
JAN
This place was quite nice for those that want to get away and most importantly, disconnect. There is no signal without walking up towards the top of the hill and there is no internet in the Pioneer Room. If you want the internet get ready for some walking or heading into town. For that reason I would not recommend staying more than 2 days, if like myself or my girlfriend, you enjoy netflix and other internet-requiring forms of entertainment.
Additionally, I would recommend this place in the winter, when the bugs are not as bad.
You are about 20-30 minutes away from any town/city center, which again can be really nice for those that want to disconnect.
The water is well water so bring a filter jug or canteen if you want to remove the well water taste. Cannot get it out of the shower water though. You'll have to deal with that. (P.s. to turn the shower on, pull down on the circle part of the tub spikit).
The horses are beautiful and the views on and around the property can be breathtaking.
However, only stay for more than 2 days if you are trying to disconnect from the internet, social media, and world.
zion6448 ..
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jul, 2020
HEllo, Thank you so much for taking out the time to write a review.
Yes, you are correct to say that we are perfect for folks who want to get away and get back to what is "real".....nature, animals/horses, swimming/fishing, cookout/campfires, rockers, each other and FRESH AIR. No crowds here, fire flys, night hikes, walking mini horses, joining in with morning /evening chores with the horses and many petting animals ! Some folks come for 1-3 weeks and still dont want to go back home!
If you need internet, then yes, you can walk or drive up hill and get good reception or go to town OR you can stay in the BED and BREAKFAST LODGE with MIFI! Reception is best with Verizon which you can get pretty good at the Pioneer room.
Some folks use us as base camp and go into national park , GAtlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend and to other activities and we are perfect for that because it is between 8 miles and 24 miles thru beautiful scenic driving.
We appreciate your stay with us and wishing you the best in health and fun for the coming summer! Janice
I have seen some peoples reviews state it was not what they expected and i have to disagree. When u book to stay on a farm there are open range animals and its going to be where you come to get your hands dirty and help out to get the best experience. Janice taught us all about the mini horses on our first day and then we were able to take them on a hike by ourselves to the hill top chapel. It was beautiful! Janice made sure my daughter had the best time! The fact that our room was cozy warm, had a jet tub, a full kitchen, wifi, and all the apps on the smart tv was way more than i expected. We stayed out on farm though bc thats what we like. We went for a hike, my daughter loved the bunnies, chickens and kittens. She even found 2 chicken eggs that she got to cook and eat! We were still only 30 to 45 min from pigeon forge and gatlinburg but its so crowded we did not go but once! We loved the quiet farm and getting to pet and feed all the animals. Janice only wants u to have a great time! There are not so many rules as other places we have been and she lets you take the mini horses any where on the 100 acre property! Again if your wanting a high end type cabin with no dirt and all the amenities then book that! This was much better for us! 😊
What a wonderful experience to stay at Twin Valley Ranch. Not sure why it was referring to a bed and breakfast but maybe other folks staying in a different room had a breakfast included. Wonderful place, adorable animals and glorious countryside. Room had strong odor which we were able to air out, also a bag of trash was hanging above the door (weird and trashy) and the room had cobwebs everywhere but those are the only negatives. We would come back because of the animals. Loved Indigo the Aussie who greeted us and the barn cats were so cute and the baby goats were precious! Host was very nice and helpful and Jayden who did the farm chores was as well.
Julie C.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 18 May, 2022
Hello Julie, thank you so much for your feedback.
As soon as i can get someone to climb a ladder the cobwebs will be gone. Hoping tomorrow. I dont know about strong smell, I did not notice when i readied your room. So glad opening the windows took care of that. I know the previous folks run the air condition during the day and then heat at night, but donT know what the smell was.
I can explain about the "trash bag " hanging. LOL. you will probably laugh but it is supposed to be a "natural" way of discouraging those awful Carpenter bees that plague us every spring. Most folks in the country know what they are, non aggressive bees that drill perfect round holes in any wood structure around. They are very destructive and annoying. Spraying does not work. So, I hang a bag filled with other bags ( not trash) to make it round and the bees think its a hornets nest and go somewhere else! The jury is still out, as to if it works or not but many folks swear by it, so I thought even if it helps! Sorry you thought it was trash, perhaps with all the wind we had, its time for a new one.
We are referred to as bed and breakfast sometimes b/c I have 2 rooms that i rent out in my log home. That is how we started in 1993. They do not get to use my kitchen, so breakfast is offered. We added the PIoneer room and Cowboy Hideout in 1999, all built with wood from our land. Did you notice how pretty the Tulip Popular wood panels were in your room ? Huge trees that we logged, planed and sawmilled ourselves. But we decided to put kitchens in these units, so breakfast is not included when you stay there. I am so glad you enjoyed the animals, I know they loved the attention! I loved meeting you both, your daughter is quite lovely both inside and out. When ever you need a nature/animal getaway you both would be welcome back anytime . Blessings for you both. JAN
Our 3 year old loves animals and this was a perfect stop on our way to South Carolina. She was able to participate in chores with Janice and she loved every second of it. Such a hands on experience. Would love to come back when our daughter is a little older so she can ride the horses. Great option if you have kiddos!
Shannon H.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Oct, 2021
Thank you for taking out the time to write such a nice review. I LOVED meeting your daughter. She is an absolute breath of fresh air.!!!
thank you for leaving the room in good shape and clean.
Please come back anytime! yeeehaaa!
Short stay but its definitely a great hidden gem. If you like horses, privacy, great views, pigs, ponds, bunnies, hospitality, quiet, and more this place is for you. There is virtually no cell service but that was not an issue for us. Its quiet, the accommodations were comfortable and spacious.
Mathew S.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug, 2021
HEllo Mathew,
Thank you for taking out the time to write such a nice review. I enjoyed your short but sweet visit. Fun watching the kids brush the donkey and horse. They seemed to enjoy that!
For others reading this, cell service is poor but really depends on who your server is. Verizon works the best and most everyone will get service if they just go up the hill to where the bunnies /chickens and lodge are. Though, I am hoping folks just want to get away from all that and enjoy nature, animals/ and space/fresh air! Your family was a pleasure and please know that you are welcome back anytime.
janice
We stayed at the pioneer room for one quick night as a stop between our house and hilton head. It was a very cool property. Huge high ceilings, very clean and comfortable. There are really nice amenities such as shower, kitchen, space in the pioneer room. There is very little cell service and it was confusing to get there in the dark, but those arent big deals. The kids really enjoyed the variety of animals and pond. It was quite quiet and comfortable. The other thing is it felt very safe as you are well off the road. If you want to spend time in the mountains, with horses, and want a private place this is it. The owner was friendly and helpful. We didn't stay long but we could see why one would. Definitely a unique and hidden gem.
Mathew S.
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug, 2021
Hello Mathew,
thank you so much for taking out the time to write such a nice review. I appreciate and enjoyed the little time spent with you and your family.
Our goal is for folks to feel at home and get back to nature and animals!
Wishing you all the very best , until we meet again..........Happy Trails!
JAN
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The owner was flexible and gracious and staff educated us on the care of the animals at the ranch. Will look forward to a return visit.
We loved staying in the mountains! We came up from Florida and wanted to escape for a little while. We got a tour from Janice and got to do tons of feedings with the animals early in the morning. Such a beautiful location and such nice people! Cute animals and cute cabin! We will definitely be back here!
Lindsey D.
Stayed 1 night in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 May, 2021
Hello!
thank you for taking out the time to make a review!. We loved sharing our little piece of heaven with you all and am glad you enjoyed our mountains and Space! You are welcome back anytime!. And we will ride horses too!
Jan
I hesitate to leave this review as I expect Janice will explain away anything I have to say. This property was not as I expected. I also didn’t feel safe with no cell service in the room we’d be staying in. Janice had an excuse for every concern I raised and refused to issue a refund. She stressed she has a cancellation policy. The truth of the matter is I did not cancel. I arrived at the property and couldn’t stay because of reasons that had to do with the property, not me wanting to cancel. VRBO’s response was had I called them prior to leaving the property they would have attempted to find another option for me. I should have taken the time to fully understand that policy.
Nonetheless, I arrived at the property and was terribly disappointed and didn’t feel comfortable staying with my 24 yr. old daughter. Janice had been very sweet and I was torn about disrespecting her and her property. In an effort not to do so I initially wasn’t honest with her about why we couldn’t stay. After this experience with her I should have been honest and not cared about hurting her feelings.
I didn’t feel safe on the property. In the Pioneer room we did not have cell service. Her recommendation was I could have used the phone her elderly mother has on the first floor of the cottage.
If you are coming for a remote experience with animals you may not be disappointed. I needed a relaxing weekend. Not a family experience with Janice and her animals.
I am still concerned about the impact of leaving a negative review so I will keep my remaining disappointments to myself. The biggest disappointment was Janice’s unwillingness to issue a refund after I arrived and found the property to be unacceptable for me. She defended every detail I raised instead of acknowledging I had a right to accommodations that I felt safe in for my daughter and myself. Maybe there hadn’t been previous security issues but it only takes one time. And while she felt very different about the observations I was making, at the end of the day I couldn’t stay and she refused to issue a refund to help with the cost of finding different accommodations.
My observations were 100 percent accurate. For example, a dirty muddy coat and debris on the front porch, left there by a member of her family after a day of working hard, in her mind was acceptable. In mine, unacceptable on the property I had paid to stay in.
We stayed here because of previous great reviews, scenic location and access to a variety of ranch animals. My kids absolutely love feeding all the animals, taking the miniature horses for walks, hiking in the woods and campfires by the pond. Janice, her mom Julia and Marcus are wonderful hosts. Can't wait to visit them again next year.
Kevin H.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Apr, 2021
Thank you Kevin for taking out the time to write such a nice review. WE all really enjoyed you and your family! ITs such a pleasure to see children enjoy the joys of ranch life. Getting back to nature, animals and each other! Please come and see us again! Happy Trails! JAN
Even without wifi, my 9yo son absolutely loved this experience. It was a great way to disconnect for a bit. Everyone we met was super nice and accomodating. Horse back riding, hikes, feeding animals, fires.... it was perfect. We will be back.
Mitzi M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan, 2021
thank you for making the review. Your son was a joy , so glad he could see the joys of "real" life without computers! His "cat" missed him. He stayed around the porch for 2 days waiting, finally he decided to return to barn area with the other cats. I thank you all so much for your support and will love to have you back anytime! YeeeHaaaa! Jan
About the host
Hosted by Janice Tipton
Hello, my name is Janice and I love realizing the dream my late husband and I have created. Being able to meet amazing folks from all over the world and sharing my ranch, horses/critters, mountain riding tips and the joys of mountain living is very rewarding to me. It is so wonderful to be able to say that people come as guests and literally leave as friends! They give as much joy to me as what I try to create for them. When we bought the ranch in 1983, no one had lived here or worked the land for over 40 yrs. Just overgrown land is what we started with. Slowly but surely we cleared, logged, dug trails, built paddocks, barns, cabin and enjoyed the joys of mountains riding! And now myself and the Twin Valley Family wish to show you all the BEST time possible. I have worked several ranches in Co and also have a AAS in Horse Husbandry so I enjoy teaching and sharing my love of horses and the mountains to all.
What makes this property unique
When you rent with us, you are not just getting a room or cabin but you are getting an all in one vacation! Stay a week and never have to get in your car! Mountains, wildflowers, trails, horses, petting animals, fishing/swimming, relaxing...... all right here Bring food, cook in your fully equipped kitchen or cookout and enjoy privacy with no crowds/traffic and all the great outdoors / fresh air you can stand!
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests